Tom Waits' Mule Variations Certified Gold

Tom Waitscan add another accomplishment to his already impressive career.

The 63-year-old musician recently had his 1999 album, Mule Variations, certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America this month. The record marks his third studio album to reach the 500,000 sales mark, following 1985’s Rain Dogs and 2006’s Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards.

“The Mule is known for his endurance, loyalty and wisdom,” Waits said in a statement on his website accompanying the news. “It always pays to listen to the Golden Mule.”

Mule Variations was previously awarded the Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Album in 2000, and Waits was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Famein 2011. His most recent release is 2011’s Bad as Me. He also recently released a coffee table art book in collaboration with photographer Anton Corbijn called Waits/Corbijn ’77-’11, which features photographs of the legendary musician throughout the nearly 30-year span.